2016 Ford F-350 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
317 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2016 Ford F-350, alongside 4 recall campaigns and 1 defect investigation. It scores 35/100 on the trouble index — a below-average year for this model. Suspension leads the reports, typically around 49,000 miles.
Below average
Where 2016 sits among all F-350 years
What owners report
“Death wobble happened 5 times driving on the interstate. Couldn’t control steering and everything was violently shaking.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2016 F-350
“While driving the vehicle it shakes violently causing loss of control of vehicle. This is also known as a death wobble.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2016 F-350
“The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the diesel particulate filter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2016 F-350
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 169 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 46,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 29,500 and 87,120 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (4)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC, Mustang, F-350 SD, F-250 SD, F-450 SD, 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, 2015-2018 Edge, Transit Connect, 2016-2019 F-550 SD, Transit, 2017-2019 Econoline, and 2019 Ranger vehicles.…
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 13, 2026. Ford owners will receive letters in phases, beginning…
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016 Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 vehicles. Dust may accumulate in the steering wheel clock spring, causing a disconnection in the electrical connection resulting in the driver's air bag not…
Fix: Dealers will replace the steering wheel clock spring, free of charge. Remedy parts are expected to become available in the 3rd Quarter of 2023. An interim notification letter informing owners of…
Icon Vehicle Dynamics, LLC (Icon) is recalling all 05-UP FSD 2.5 Centerline Stabilizer Kits with part number 65050. The kits were sold as an accessory for certain 2005-2021 Ford F-250 4X4 and F-350 4X4 pickup trucks. The foam ring inside the stabilizer…
Fix: Icon will notify owners, and dealers will install a new shock assembly with a revised foam ring and steel support disc, free of charge. The recall began December 21, 2020. Owners may contact Icon…
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 trucks manufactured April 5, 2016, to April 11, 2016. The tires installed during assembly of the affected vehicles may have sustained damage to the inner…
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires for damage and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 23, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at…
Federal defect investigations
Still open as of the last data refresh. An investigation is not a recall; it may close with no action. All open investigations →
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
The Office of Defect Investigations (ODI) has received 27 complaints alleging diesel fuel leaks due to a fracture in the secondary fuel filter housing in model year (MY) 2015-2021 Ford Motor Company (Ford) F-250, 350, 450, and 550 Super Duty vehicles equipped with 6.7L diesel engines. Of these…
Technical service bulletins
118 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on engine and electrical — are on file for the 2016 Ford F-350. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2016 Ford F-350 reliable?
The 2016 Ford F-350 drew 317 complaints in federal safety records — a below-average year for this model. Its trouble index is 35/100, scored against the model's worst year (1999).
What are the most common 2016 Ford F-350 problems?
The top reported problems for the 2016 Ford F-350 are suspension (81 complaints), steering (77), and engine (25).
At what mileage do 2016 Ford F-350 problems show up?
Owners most often report 2016 Ford F-350 problems around 46,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 29,500 and 87,120 miles.
Does the 2016 Ford F-350 have recalls?
4 recall campaigns apply to the 2016 Ford F-350. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.